Constipation in pain management is common as many patients receive opioids to manage their chronic pain. Opioids decrease the motility of the gastrointestinal tract, thereby delaying the passage of the stool. Tolerance does not develop to constipation as it does to the other side effects of opiates.

Diagnosis

Patients with constipation complain of:

Abdominal pain

Appetite impairment

Abdominal pressure

Back pain

Feelings of fullness

Hard formed stool

Headache

Inability to defecate

Nausea

Pain with defecation

Along with attaining the patient’s history, the health care provider can further determine constipation by noting the lack of bowel sounds, palpating the rectal mass, and palpating the abdomen for a mass. If the problem has been noted and addressed for a couple of days without resolve, the physician may order an abdominal x-ray to view the blockage and the cause of the blockage if visible.

Treatment

Constipation can be treated with a liberal diet of fruits, vegetables, and plenty of water. These tend to increase the hydration in the stool allowing it to move more readily through the system. Exercise helps the colon to initiate movement to move the stool through the system. Stool softening medications may be recommended and/or prescribed by the physician.

Spine Center of Excellence

The Priority Health Spine Centers of Excellence program was created to ensure that all patients with persistent neck pain, back pain or other spine-related problems receive a comprehensive, non-surgical medical evaluation for their condition. For patients whose condition does not require urgent or emergent surgical intervention, an evaluation by a certified Priority Health Spine Center of Excellence is required prior to any referral to an orthopedic or neurosurgeon for back or neck care.